Scottish Premiership Matchday 10 brings the division's two extremes face to face when Hibernian host Celtic on 25 October 2026. Celtic lead on 24 points from nine games, Hibernian sit 12th and last with just seven. The visitors need only to sustain their current level to extend their advantage, whereas Hibernian are looking to end a home league winless run stretching back more than six months. A win would give Martin O'Neill's side breathing space ahead of a congested run of fixtures, while anything positive for Marink Reedijk would take some heat off a side that have not won at home in the league since April. Reedijk only arrived on 24 September 2026, so there is nothing in the way of a head to head record against O'Neill, though O'Neill's familiarity with Hibernian from previous Celtic spells should help him identify where the home side are most vulnerable right now.
Hibernian's last five league results read L L D L L, with a 1-2 defeat at Falkirk on 17 October 2026 following a 0-1 home loss to Dundee United on 10 October. Celtic's sequence is W W L W W, capped by a 7-1 dismantling of Hearts on 18 October that showed the attacking firepower O'Neill has had available since taking permanent charge in June 2026.
Rocky Bushiri is out with an Achilles injury, leaving the centre back pairing short handed without the aerial dominance and organisational authority he provides at set pieces and in open play, while Nicky Cadden's calf problem has ruled him out on the left, removing the pressing trigger and delivery Hibernian rely on to build from that side. Celtic are also without Yang Hyun-Jun through injury and Alistair Johnston is a doubt at right back, if he misses out, cover on that flank is likely to come from within the squad without significantly altering the shape.
Reedijk has introduced a high pressing 4-2-3-1, a system that demands more from its players than the current squad can consistently deliver. Without Bushiri, the centre backs are being asked to step higher and accept more exposure in behind, which is the space Nygren targets with runs in behind the last line. Martin Boyle is the home side's best hope up top as the league's joint top scorer with three goals, though the supply from midfield looks stretched with Jamie McGrath having to create from deeper than ideal.
McGregor sits deep and circulates quickly through Celtic's lines, picking passes into the channels before Hibernian's press can organise and against a high pressing shape that is still finding its structure, that kind of composure tends to pull defences apart. Nygren's six or so goals already this season make him the likeliest scorer here, his movement in behind matches the exposure that Bushiri's absence creates at the heart of Hibernian's defence. Durán, operating as the ten, drops to combine and link rather than arrive late into the box, keeping Celtic's attacks fluid and giving Nygren clean runs in behind. Johnston's doubt at right back may mean cover comes from elsewhere in the squad, though it is unlikely to change much about how Celtic attack through the centre. The real midfield contest will be between McGregor and Hibernian's double pivot, with the press only functioning if they can stop him from playing through the lines early.
The two sides split their most recent meetings, with Celtic winning 2-1 in May 2026 and Hibernian winning 2-1 in February 2026. The short term record is even and without a longer run of figures available, that is as far as the head to head goes.
Bushiri's absence weakens Hibernian at set pieces too, which matters against a side who are a consistent threat from corners and free kicks. Reedijk's 4-2-3-1 has given the team a clearer shape than they had before he arrived but the centre backs are being asked to operate in unfamiliar high positions and the failure to convert counter attacking chances in recent weeks is the most visible sign of that strain.
Celtic should win this 3-0. Nygren should find space in behind the home back line while McGregor's circulation through midfield ought to prevent Hibernian from building anything coherent going forward. The 7-1 against Hearts showed what Celtic look like when they get it right and Hibernian's current defensive vulnerabilities give them a similar opportunity here. The Johnston doubt changes little given the depth Celtic carry behind him, they have enough to win this comfortably.
Ryan Baldi
Football Writer
Ryan Baldi is a professional football writer with years of experience and has been featured by respected outlets such as the BBC, The Guardian, Sky Sports, DAZN, FourFourTwo, ESPN, Yahoo Sport and Football365. He has also written several books including Arsène Who?.
